This site is for family, friends, and colleagues of Avner Magen to post their thoughts and memories of him. Avner died in a climbing accident on May 29, 2010, in Alaska.

Avner was a beloved and devoted father, husband and son; a terrifically warm, funny, and energetic person; a brilliant and creative researcher; and a wonderful friend and colleague.

Please share your stories, memories and words of support by sending an email to AvnerMagenMemorial@gmail.com. You may also post comments to any entry. Visit this Photo Site for a photo memorial of Avner and his family and friends. Instructions for adding pictures appear next to the album.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Jeremy Cho

For me, one of Avner's greatest strengths as an adviser washis sharp attention to detail and desire to understand everystep of an argument that was presented to him. At first Ifound this to be intimidating and often spent late nightsbefore meetings refining my proofs and even attempting topredict the clarifying questions he would ask. As a result,I gradually began crystalizing my thoughts in the same waythat Avner did - with an intuitive geometric picture insteadof the rambling narrative I was so accustomed to. The factthat he treated my ideas with a level of respect andinterest normally reserved for seasoned researchers alsoprovided a vital boost to my self-confidence at a time whenI was unsure about my place in graduate school.

There are many Avner moments that will be forever etched inmy memory - our multi-part conversations on the merits ofthe phrase "it is what it is", the day I walked into hiscombinatorial optimization final with an arsenal of RedBulls and the good-natured ribbing I received in the manymonths to follow, and the endless amusement he derived frommy dependency on goose-down jackets on days when he would bewearing shorts. In one of our last conversations, I sharedwith him my dilemna of what I should do following myMaster's degree and the response I got was typical Avner -honest, thoughtful, encouraging, and of course peppered withhis irreplaceable sense of humor. For all these reasons andmore, I will never forget him.